Microsoft Expands on SURFACE Brand with New Updated Offerings

Including a new wireless headset.

Microsoft has updated its Surface PC hardware with new designs and processors while also introducing its first Cortana-enabled wireless headset to the brand. The Surface Pro 6 will feature a quad-core 8th generation Intel Core processor with a black and platinum finish slated to ship in the middle of this month. A Core i5 model with 8 gigabytes of RAM and a 128-gigabyte SSD will cost $899 USD, but with a Type Cover Keyboard and stylus pen ($160 USD and $100 USD, respectively) it will add up to over $1000 USD.

The Surface Laptop 2 features an 8th generation, quad-core Intel chip and will be available in matte black, burgundy, cobalt blue, and platinum. According to Microsoft, its thermal management system has been redesigned so the fan is used less often to reduce the noise found in the original Surface Laptop. The Surface Laptop 2 also includes updated USB (although it lacks USB-C ports), Mini DisplayPort, and the Surface Connector for magnetic charging and docking. The base model includes a Core i5 chip, 8 gigabytes of RAM and a 128GB SSD for $999 USD that’s expected to ship alongside the Surface Pro 6 in the middle of October.

The professional-focused Surface Studio 2 boasts a 28-inch PixelSense touchscreen that can lay flat and features a control dial. The Surface Studio 2 ships with an i7-7820 processor and a 64-bit quad core chip for a starting price of $3500 USD. It will include an Intel Core i7 chip, 16 gigabytes of RAM, 1 terabyte of internal storage, and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 graphics card.

Lastly is the introduction of the over-the-ear Surface Headphones. It pairs with Windows 10 devices through the Swift Pair feature to automatically pause music or mute calls when you take them off, then restart once they’re back on. Each ear cup has two beam-forming microphones to make phone calls or summon Cortana if paired with a Cortana-enabled device. It will be available “later this holiday season.”